What the fuck was I thinking? Marriage? It was the only thing I could think of that could have saved our relationship. But some part of me thought Hal would have impulsively agreed, too. But she had changed.
My fists balled up with anger in which I took out on a nearby empty table. Pounding my fists on it like a madman. The commotion brought attention to some people and waiters. I was instructed to leave by a young, blond waitress with a nametag that read Kathy. It didn't really piss me off all that much though. I was too consumed in my own thoughts.
As I was leaving the restaurant without confronting my mother or Hal's dad, I couldn't help but think of how it could be if Hal and I actually were married... Coming home to her every day, kissing her gently on the forehead before asking "how was your day today, darling?" And then she would smile that beautiful smile and tell me and no matter what it was she had to say, I would listen. And as I listened, I would wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into my chest and hug her tightly. Taking in her perfect scent of flowers. Everyday.
I shook my head to clear my mind. I walked up to my car expecting to find her in the passengers seat waiting for me. But she wasn't.
"Hal?" I called out half knowing I would get no response. "Hal?"
I looked down the street both ways, but there was no sign of her storming away. Great. She was gone again.
I felt my heart sink, something like a metaphor of the Titanic. I was sinking into the cold, icy waters of her words to lay forever. Her words echoed through my brain. I love you now, isn't that enough? I should have known I was falling in love with a girl that only lived in the moment.
I got in my car and drove, and for a while I didn't know where I was driving to. I didn't want to go home because I knew my mother would be there soon. I was quite disgusted by her. I couldn't go to Hal's. She didn't want to see me anyways. And I'd go back to school when pigs fly.
Finally, I made the decision to drive to Ashton's. He was the only one in the band that was already out of highschool, and I knew he'd probably be at his house today playing the drums or writing songs or doing whatever Ashton's do on Mondays.
I rung his doorbell three times before he answered the door.
"Lucas, why aren't you in school?" He greeted calmly.
"Well, hello to you too, mate!" I gave him a pat on the shoulder before he motioned for me to come inside. He had a bandanna wrapped around his forehead and beads of sweat running down his forehead below it.
"Hardcore drumming session?" I asked.
"Hardcore, mate," he chuckled back. I was glad he didn't seem mad at me about the other night ago when I practically got our band banned from the Ripple Stadium for "interfering violetly with crowd members." What a bunch of bullshit.
"So, you're not pissed at me about what happened Sunday?" I found myself asking and then regretting it.
There was a short pause. "Nah. Just a little sad, that's all. The only one who seemed to be genuinely mad about it was Calum." He laughed. "But then again, it's fucking Calum." Then, I laughed along with him.
"Yeah," I grinned.
"So, why'd ya stop by at two in the afternoon on a school day?" Ashton said, leading me into his kitchen. I sat down at his table as he dug in his refrigerator.
"To be honest, I don't know," I admitted. "I guess I kind of got jumbled up in a whole situation with Hal."
"You two are very unpredictable," he said handing me an ice cold can of beer and sitting down across from me with his own.
"I know," I told him as I opened the can. "I just don't know what to do, man. I think I have fallen in love with her. But she keeps leaving."
"If that wasn't obvious from the start," Ashton giggled again like a school girl while taking a sip of beer.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, first, you've always loved her. Admit it. We saw you trying to cover it up, bud. Everyone could see the way you looked at her. You've never looked at any other girl like that."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat knowing it was the truth. "Well, it doesn't matter now. She's gone, I freaked her out."
"How so?" He asked taking another sip.
"I asked her to marry me." Ashton choked on his beer and started coughing.
"You... What?" He managed between coughs.
"Yeah, I know. It was dumb. But it was only because our parents are like, dating or some shit."
"What?" Ashton gagged with even more surprise.
"Yeah, it's a long story. We saw them on a restaurant on a date and Hal wanted them to be together more than us. That's when I asked her."
After Ashton recovered, he took a long sigh. "Look, maybe you need to step back and let her breathe. The thought of your parents together probably hit her faster than it hit you. Obviously. If you two are really meant to be, she'll come back. Even after your dumb proposal attempt." I nodded. Maybe he was right.
"Tell you what," Ashton stared up again. "This weekend all four of us are headed to the Roseby for a good time. To get your mind off things, sounds good?" I nodded again, not completely thinking through my actions. The Roseby was a famous night club downtown with supposedly the best alcohol and girls.
"Alright, it's settled. It'll be good for you, man." He said.
"I hope so," I practically whispered. But what if Hal was what was good for me.
YOU ARE READING
the promise ➳ hemmings
Fanfiction| Promises are just very sincere lies. We make them thinking that we'll keep them. But in time, our motivation to keep them fades-- just like the hope and trust others had in us that they wouldn't. It's just sad to think that's what our relationship...
